Along with head lice and "incinerated the chemistry lab", one bit of news you don't want to hear from school is the suggestion your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The term covers a multitude of sins - inattention, unruliness, impulsiveness - that add up to one thing: misery. But before checking out paediatricians and the wholesale price of Ritalin, there are a number of steps you can take to test the school's diagnosis for yourself.

"There are so many varying degrees of ADHD," explains Andrew Greenfield, senior psychologist with the Sydney Developmental Clinic, "you'd say that most of us have some mild form."

Follow this checklist first to find out where your child fits in - or whether they have the condition at all.

Compare notes The teacher's indicated there's something amiss. Rather than hit the panic button, set up a time to visit the school.

"You should speak in detail with the teacher to see what your child is like in the school setting," says Greenfield. "It may be that there are completely different expectations at home which can help explain any issues."

Testing time Learning or behavioural difficulties might not be a result of what's going on between the ears: it might be the ears themselves.

"You should check off other possibilities that may be causing or contributing to the problem," advises Greenfield. "Have your child's hearing and eyesight tested. Could it be diet-related, whether sugar levels, allergies or low iron levels?" A few simple adjustments - a pair of glasses, fewer Freddo Frogs - might sort everything out with minimal pain.

Border patrol "Boundaries". It's probably the word parents hear most often when it comes to advice on raising kids. It's there again if your child is experiencing problems in class.

"Look to see if there are consistencies between the boundaries you set at home and what's needed in a learning environment," says Greenfield. "Do you let them do what they like at home? Are your own behaviours setting the right example?"
If you regularly fly off the handle in front of the kids, should it be any wonder that they mimic you in class? "It's not easy to do, but people should always look in their own backyard first," says Greenfield.

Positive spin "Difficult" child or unidentified genius? In some cases, children suspected of having ADHD are merely bored because it's all too easy.

"A 'gifted' child might not find the class work stimulating enough," says Greenfield.

You can do your bit by upping the ante at home. "It might be by academically extending them or through music lessons, but whatever you do, you can make sure they're set more challenging tasks," Greenfield says.

Don't jump the gun Leo can't sit still for his bedtime story? Relax; he's only three.

"A lot of experts won't even see children before they're five," says Greenfield. "It's from that age that you can start to see issues emerge at pre-school or school, whether it's not being able to sit and focus, not absorb information or behavioural problems."